Snow Bunnies

The girls caught the ski bug early.  They really didn't have a choice, as we have been taking them to Colorado since they were born.  And if you are going to be surrounded by snow and mountains, you might as well learn to ski.

We put MadHatter on her first set of ski's when she was about 2 (cutest video ever below)...

We have tried to get them on ski's at least once a year since then but we also live out of the country.  It's not that there aren't opportunities to ski (there are many in the places we have lived), it's more the fact that there are so many opportunities to do so many other things that we may not get to do once we are repatriated, that we put skiing farther down the list.  Not anymore!  The girls are getting bigger, their tolerance for cold and hard work is getting stronger and they have decided they love it.  And B and I love spending time with them on the slopes.

It had been a full 2 years since they last strapped on their sticks and hit the snow.  Which meant that MadHatter was only 5 1/2 and Stinkerbell 4 the last time they were out.  It also meant that a lesson was in order - because even though B and I are good skiers, we are not teachers.  Enter Mr. Steve...

Or should I call him - the Saint.  He spent 6 hours (and a lunch) with these two teaching them to respect the mountain, turn, stop and get on and off the chairlift.  He took two beginners and returned two pros!

MadHatter is now a Level III skier (she can stop and slow down at will, link her turns and mostly keep her ski's parallel in turns).  She is still a bit more fearful of the steep grades but by the end of the week was flying down the Intermediate runs (sadly - no video as she chose to do them with her Papa).

Stinkerbell is now off of the harness and skiing solo!  She also learned to slow and stop at will and can link some of her turns.  This little one has no fear and I am sure will be skiing with us at the very top in no time.

A video of MadHatter's first run with us...

MadHatter really challenged herself this year...and nailed it!

Stinkerbell really rocked her runs this year too...

And had a great time doing it (she sings and skis the whole way)

As for the adults, we got out early (and into the freezing cold) and headed straight to the slopes as soon as they opened.  After a few runs to get our legs back, we headed over to the highest chairlift in America (just under 13,000 feet or 3,914 m above sea level) and threw ourselves down the mountain.  It takes just over 8 minutes from top to bottom, is all expert runs, and is exhilirating every single step (or turn) of the way.  If you want to watch it from my view - the video is below...

I have been hooked on that rush for 20 years now.  And hope to be for at least 20 more.